There are 1.8 million children who have a family member serving in the United States military.

Many times, people forget that these youngsters put on a brave face in the absence of a parent who is deployed or training away from home.To honor these children, Carbon County has named April as "The Month of the Military Child."Commissioner William O'Gurek read the proclamation, which states, "This month has been set aside to recognize the sacrifices children and youths of our military personnel make because when the parents serve in the military, their kids also serve in the military."April 15 has been set aside specifically to remember these children through Purple Up Day.These children and youths are sources of pride and honor to us all," the proclamation states. "It is fitting we take time to recognize their contributions, celebrate their spirit and let our men and women in uniform know while they are taking care of us, we are taking care of their children."The county asks all residents to display a purple ribbon on their doors, porch railing and windows, as well as wear purple on April 15 as a way to honor military children.On hand at the meeting to accept the proclamation was members of Weatherly American Legion Post 360's auxiliary, who will be holding a special event called Purple Up Military Kids Day at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Weatherly Elementary/Middle School gymnasium to honor the town's children who have parents serving in the military."I want to thank the commissioners for doing this," said Georgeann Herling, president of the auxiliary. "As a grandmother for two military children, I know what it means. The last time my son came home from deployment, his oldest child, when he went back to his regular duty, he would ask 'Daddy, are you coming home today?' They do go through a lot."Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard urged everyone to participate in recognizing military children either on Wednesday at the event, which is open to the public, or on April 15."I think as a child of anyone serving in the U.S. military, you should be proud to say that your parent served this great country," he said.